ALL you need to know about Kaysa Pritchard is this: in 2012 he made 230 tackles in four games in the Holden Cup for Parramatta and was forced to rest for the next game.
He had literally tackled himself to a standstill.
It's the commitment and dedication for which the 20-year-old has become known.
It's what led him to be named captain of the NSW under-20s team — his first representative jersey after 12 years of playing rugby league.
The Hoxton Park resident (pictured) led NSW to a 30-8 win against Queensland in the under-20s State of Origin recently.
The crafty hooker set up the first try and played through the pain barrier to help NSW notch their third straight win in the fixture.
It was fitting that Pritchard pulled on the sky blue jersey.
He has played for only three teams: the two blues of Cabramatta, the blue and gold of Parramatta and the sky blue of the NSW under-20s. In fact, it could have added another blue jersey to the collection.
Pritchard, of Samoan descent, was selected for the Samoan team for the Pacific Test against Fiji so he had to make a tough decision. "I just went with my heart and picked Origin. It's been a goal since last year to make the under-20s Origin since I watched the game from the sideline last year and wanted to be part of it."
Pritchard, who played five games in the NRL last year, has been both a valuable player in the successful Holden Cup team and a student in 2014.
The teacher has been new signing Nathan Peats. The subject has been becoming a complete no. 9.
"The main thing he's taught me is how to play tough," Pritchard said.
"Just watching him from the sidelines is a lesson in itself and I'm just trying to take as much in at training and when I see him play."
And what's the goal for the rest of 2014?
"Every footballer's dream is to play first grade so I'm just focusing on playing well in the under-20s and taking it week by week and improving my game," Pritchard said.
"This is my third year in the under-20s and I'm enjoying being a senior player in the team and helping the younger boys out on and off the field."